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East St. Louis To Add Weekend Police Patrols

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EAST ST. LOUIS, Il (KMOX)-East St. Louis’ latest effort to reduce violence involves putting additional police officers on the streets, and businesses in the city are covering the costs.

Mayor Alvin Parks says at least 30 corporate citizens are donating to pay the overtime of up to eight officers, who will patrol the streets on Friday and Saturday nights, “Be really proactive patrolling and proactive peacekeeping just to make sure that everyone is safe. Not only in the business community, which is basically downtown, but throughout the city.”

Police Chief Michael Floore tells KMOX, “It’s supposed to be a total of eight officers, sometimes there may be six. We’re going to be targeting the bad areas throughout the city and in the downtown area.”

Floore says his officers will welcome the chance to work the extra patrols, “A lot of these guys, because of the budget cuts and stuff like that, need extra money so with the donation, that will help the a lot.”